Stanhope buys seat at theater

Council also sets budget hearing date

February 24, 2014

Jeff Pingel, representing the Webster Theatre Help Entertain and Restore Organization (HERO), was a visitor at the regular monthly session of the Stanhope city council on February 11.

Pingel reported on the work of the committee, which has now purchased the shuttered Webster Theatre and is in the process of restoring the building. Roof and interior work, along with extensive cleaning, are needed, at an estimated cost of over $200,000, including new digital projection equipment.

Toward that fundraising effort, the council unanimously agreed to purchase one theatre seat for $300. The plaque on the back of the seat will say: City of Stanhope, Iowa.

Other items on the agenda included reviewing the revised job description for the position of city clerk, as current city clerk Ron McKenzie will retire on June 30. Plans are to place employment advertisements in area newspapers, applications to be received by March 15, and interviews scheduled for March 18 and 19. Once a candidate is interviewed and accepted, employment will begin part time on May 1 and full time on June 2.

In other business, McKenzie reviewed the proposed 2014-15 operating budget with the council. The public hearing on the budget is set for the next council meeting on March 11.

Also on Tuesday, the council approved the appointment of Leigh Miller to the Stanhope EMS Department and conditional appointment to the Stanhope Fire Department.